PLAINSBORO, N.J., June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk is teaming up with NBA great and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins to launch Dominique's Diabetes Dream Team, a national initiative to help adults with type 2 diabetes customize a full-court approach to managing the everyday challenges of the disease.

Dominique's Diabetes Dream Team will highlight three key components of a successful diabetes management plan: a balanced diet, regular exercise and proper medication as needed. Dominique's own team is comprised of his physicians, a diabetes educator, a nutritionist and a fitness expert, who together offer him guidance on daily diabetes management.

"Diabetes is a complex disease and it takes a team to get the best results. When I was diagnosed with the disease, I formed my own 'Diabetes Dream Team,'" said Wilkins. "They've taught me that small, simple changes can make a big difference, and I am excited to partner with Novo Nordisk to help others think differently about managing their diabetes."

Nearly 26 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, and nearly every patient can benefit from a customized disease management plan. Adults with type 2 diabetes can visit DiabetesDreamTeam.com to download a copy of Dominique's "Diabetes Coaches' Clipboard." The Clipboard is full of insider tips on diabetes management from Dominique and his team of experts.

Dominique will also be in attendance at select diabetes conferences nationwide, where he and his team will share personal stories and advice on how people can better manage their diabetes with the help of their own Diabetes Dream Team.

"The way Dominique has learned to manage his type 2 diabetes sets a good example for anyone living with the disease," said Camille Lee, senior vice president, Diabetes Marketing at Novo Nordisk. "Novo Nordisk wants to share his success to benefit others who face daily struggles with type 2 diabetes."

Today, Wilkins takes Victoza® (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection), a once-daily, non-insulin injection, as part of his treatment plan. Victoza® may help improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes when used along with diet and exercise.

"When I was first diagnosed, my doctor summed it up best by teaching me that there are three core aspects to managing diabetes: a balanced diet, regular exercise and finding the proper medication," said Wilkins. "My team and I are eager to share my diabetes management plan with patients all over the country, and hope to give them insights to better control their disease."

To learn more about Dominique's Diabetes Dream Team, including how to receive Dominique's "Diabetes Coaches' Clipboard" and which diabetes events he will be attending, visit DiabetesDreamTeam.com.

Indicationsand Usage: Victoza® is an injectable prescription medicine that may improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes when used along with diet and exercise.

Victoza® is not recommended as the first medication to treat diabetes. Victoza® has not been studied in patients with history of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Victoza® is not a substitute for insulin and has not been studied in combination with prandial (mealtime) insulin. Victoza® is not for people with type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not known if Victoza® is safe and effective in children. Victoza® is not recommended for use in children.

Important Safety Information:In animal studies, Victoza® caused thyroid tumorsincluding thyroid cancerin some rats and mice. It is not known whether Victoza® causes thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in people, which may be fatal if not detected and treated early. Do not use Victoza® if you or any of your family members have a history of MTC or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). While taking Victoza®, tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.

Do not use Victoza® if you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in Victoza®. Serious allergic reactions can happen with Victoza®. If symptoms of serious allergic reactions occur, stop taking Victoza® and seek medical attention.

Pancreatitis may be severe and lead to death. Before taking Victoza®, tell your doctor if you have had pancreatitis, gallstones, a history of alcoholism, or high blood triglyceride levels since these medical conditions make you more likely to get pancreatitis.

Stop taking Victoza® (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection) and call your doctor right away if you have pain in your stomach area that is severe and will not go away, occurs with or without vomiting, or is felt going from your stomach area through to your back. These may be symptoms of pancreatitis.

Before using Victoza®, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially sulfonylurea medicines or insulin, as taking them with Victoza® may affect how each medicine works. If you use Victoza® with insulin, you may give both injections in the same body area (for example, your stomach area), but not right next to each other.

Also tell your doctor if you have severe stomach problems such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food; have or have had kidney or liver problems; have any other medical conditions; or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is unknown if Victoza® will harm your unborn baby or if Victoza® passes into your breast milk.

Your risk for getting hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is higher if you take Victoza® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered while taking Victoza®.

Victoza® may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea leading to dehydration, which may cause kidney failure. This can happen in people who have never had kidney problems before. Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce your chance of dehydration.

The most common side effects with Victoza® include headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Nausea is most common when first starting Victoza®, but decreases over time in most people. Immune system related reactions, including hives, were more common in people treated with Victoza® compared to people treated with other diabetes drugs in medical studies.

About Type 2 DiabetesIn the United States alone, nearly 26 million people are affected by diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases. Diabetes is emerging as one of the most serious health problems of our time; the number of Americans with diabetes has tripled over the last 30 years.

About Novo Nordisk Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk employs approximately 40,000 employees in 75 countries, and markets its products in more than 180 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com or follow our news in the U.S. on Twitter: @novonordiskus.